Focus For Family Services During Lent 2010
- 21st February 2010
Today the children focussed on the lower part of the cross - Earth - discussing words they associate with 'community' as well as those associated with earth. The words and phrases were written on 'post-it' notes that were stuck to the wooden cross as a focus. The children then cut out pictures from magazines that are representations of these words to create a collage. The bible verse, included in the collage, was 1 Corinthians 10 v26 'The earth is the Lord's and everything in it'.
The collage they produced is shown in the photo below and can be viewed in the porch of St Mary's Church, Calstone throughout Lent.
- 28th February 2010 - Family Service at All Saints' Yatesbury
Today the children focussed on the top part of the cross and the Hope of Heaven. With the older children not able to attend, we started with the children's ideas around how they would portray Heaven in pictures and ended with the words they associate with Heaven. Hunting for these words - in the general selection of magazines used - led to them thinking of other words. All pictures and words are included in this week's collage (although we sadly ran out of time for Zac to include the individual letters he was finding and cutting out to make 'Heaven').
The collage the children produce is on display during Lent in the porch of All Saints' church Yatesbury.
Next week, 7th March, the children will be thinking about the left arm of the cross - Past and Forgiveness. This will be within the United Benefice Service at St Andrew's Heddington at 10:30.
- 7th March 2010
Today the children thought about the Past and forgiveness. We talked about how God forgives us and how we also must forgive others. We thought of things we had experienced in the past, such as happiness, sadness, laughter and tears and cut out pictures depicting these emotions which we stuck together to form a collage. We stuck post-it notes on our small wooden cross with words for emotions we had experienced in the past. We finished by reading the following Bible verses from Colossians 3 v.13: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
The collage will be displayed in the porch at St Andrews, Heddington during Lent.
- Lent 2010
Prayers
- Just Talk To Me
This poem, written by Lee Abbey Past Community member Bill Colclough, is a simple reflection on how to pray.
Don’t be afraid if you don’t understand
Don’t fear you won’t do it right
Don’t worry about performing
Just talk to me
Don’t need no words you can’t define
Don’t need a special voice you keep reserved just for me
Don’t even have to close your eyes
Just talk to me
Don’t need to wait until you’re hopeless
Don’t need a particular reason to call
Don’t need to fake your holiness
Just talk to me
Don’t worry that you don’t love me enough
Don’t need to do anything special
Don’t pretend you’re someone or something that you’re not
Just talk to me
Don’t need some formal speech about all the social and theological issues of the day
Don’t be afraid I won’t listen
Don’t use lots of fancy phrases you heard some preacher say
Just talk to me
Don’t try to be impressive
Don’t think about your image
Don’t need to be self-conscious
Just talk to me
Don’t think it has make sense
Don’t feel the need to use complete sentences Don’t feel the need to use words at all
Just talk to me
Don’t pretend to be happy if you are not
Don’t be overwhelmed if you feel hopeless
Don’t worry if I’ll do what you ask
Just talk to me
Don’t feel you have to take all day or all night
Don’t feel the need to be serious or sombre or stressed
Don’t even think about wearing your fancy clothes
Just talk to me
Don’t worry if you’re pleasing me
Don’t think you have to have all the answers
Don’t try to feel anything different at all
Just talk to me
Don’t worry about feeling terribly confident
Don’t try to change the world
Don’t think yourself too bad or too good to do this
Just talk to me
Don’t spend your emotional energy getting all worked up over this
Don’t think of me as a perfectionist
Don’t believe everything you hear down there
Just talk to me
Don’t keep a list or record of when we chat
Don’t need to make an appointment
Don’t stop to talk to the receptionist
Just talk to me
Don’t try to be your preacher
Don’t try to be your mother
Don’t pretend you’ve got it all together
Just talk to me
Don’t need no special glasses
Don’t need a microphone
Don’t worry if it isn’t good
Just talk to me
Don’t lie to me
Don’t question if I understand
Don’t think it doesn’t matter
Just talk to me
Don’t bother about the rules
Don’t bother about whether there are any
Don’t pursue anything by which to measure yourself
Just talk to me
Don’t confuse me with your father
Don’t put that kind of pressure on him or yourself
Don’t try get away from the point of who I am
Just talk to me
Don’t try to impress me
Don’t try to hide anything
Don’t concern yourself about whether you’re wasting my time with trivialities
Just talk to me
Don’t ask if I know about the latest hospital report
Don’t think I don’t know all the latest gossip
Don’t wonder if I know the best possible outcome
Just talk to me
Don’t think anything is too insignificant to bring up
Don’t worry if you cry
Don’t worry if you don’t
Just talk to me
Don’t be afraid
Don’t be unnatural
Don’t be anything you don’t want to be
Just talk to me
Don’t hesitate to shout if you feel like it
Don’t hesitate to rant
Don’t pretend
Just talk to me
Don’t forget to laugh with me
Don’t forget that I’m the one who started all this
Don’t forget I already know what you’re going to say
Just talk to me
Don’t worry about what I might say or think about you
Don’t be concerned if you lose your train of thought
Don’t be surprised if I talk back
Just talk to me
Don’t forget to listen
Don’t forget I care more than you can possibly imagine
Don’t worry about the silence
Just talk to me
Just talk to me
Just talk to me
Grateful Thanks from Michael & Mary Henly
- Thank You All
- What a glorious way to celebrate a happy and much blessed ministry; 12 years as a Lay Reader (now called Local Lay Minister), then 42 as Priest – it doesn’t seem anything like that long! All have been happy years.
Thank you Philip, very much indeed for the kind thought and for organising and conducting the wonderful service of celebration and thanks for Mary and me at St Andrews on Sunday 6th September, thank you too for allowing me to share so fully in your ministry in the United Benefice. I am very grateful also to the earlier incumbents for the same privileges, I well remember the Rev Robert Butler, the Vicar at the time, arriving at the vicarage at Bishops Cannings, as soon as he heard that we were coming to live in Cherhill, to welcome us & to invite me to share in his ministry and work in the benefice! I am very grateful to him.
Thank you all for the wonderful gifts we were presented with during the service; the glorious flowers for Mary and the most generous cheque for both of us from the Oldbury benefice: thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, for all the wonderful help, support and friendship we know in all the parishes.
A very big “thank you” too, to the children who, during the “sermon slot” made us a wonderful thank you card which they gave us when they returned to the church. Thank you children very much; we will keep it to remember you all.
It was wonderful, and so heart warming that so many people from all the 5 churches came to fill the church, some who had moved away over the years returning especially for the service, and some other friends too. Indeed it was a wonderful experience; a wonderful celebration. Many thanks too, for the delicious refreshments to end it all.
We empathise that we are still very much around and will be turning up at all the churches and functions in the 5 parishes & supporting and helping in any way we can. I greatly regret having to give up taking services for health reasons, and miss so doing sadly, but hope to be able to continue my ministry quietly in other ways. It has always been a very real and great privilege and pleasure to be allowed to take such a large part of ministry in the affairs of this United Benefice.
God bless you all.
With many and sincere thanks to all,
Mary & Michael
Update On Swine Flu
- Issued to Clergy and Churchwardens in the Diocese of Salisbury
- Dated – 14 July 2009
While the current strain of swine flu remains mild, there is clear evidence that it is likely to become quite widespread in the United Kingdom. There have been very few deaths; however it is also evident that mild as it is the current strain can pose a serious health risk to those who are most vulnerable.
Hygiene Precautions
The Bishop directs the following precautions be taken to reduce the risk of the spread of swine flu.
1. Churches should continue to take services and conduct business as normal. At this point there are no recommendations about change to local practice with regard to sharing the Peace. However all should be encouraged to observe good hand hygiene. It may be helpful to have an alcoholic rub available for people to use on coming into church.
2. For the duration of the current situation, only consecrated bread (of whatever kind is the customary practice in the local church) should be offered to those receiving communion. Clergy should emphasize that while communion in both kinds is the norm in the Church of England, in faithfulness to Christ’s institution, when it is received only in one kind the fullness of the Sacrament is received none the less. President and sacristan should either wash their hands with soap and water or use an antibacterial gel before preparing or distributing the bread
3. Both bread and wine should be consecrated and the President must receive communion in both kinds. The chalice should also be available at a different communion point for those who still wish to receive in both kinds.
4. Please note that neither intinction (where the consecrated bread is dipped in the wine by either the administrant or communicant) nor giving the consecrated bread directly onto the tongue should be used in the current situation. These customs increase the possibility of spreading the virus.
5. Please do give clear advice (in Sunday Notices, parish magazines etc) to members of your congregation who may be showing flu-like symptoms to follow Government advice and stay at home while symptoms persist. (Symptoms do not normally last for more than 7-10 days.) Do also keep in touch with them during this period by phone and ensure they feel welcomed back when they have recovered.
6. Pastoral visits and Home Communion for people who have swine flu by clergy or lay pastoral assistants are strongly discouraged. Contact by telephone, internet, or other means is to be encouraged! The risk of infection is very high, and a priest making a series of pastoral visits could spread infection, as well as being susceptible to becoming infected.
7. When a pastoral visit is necessary then great care must be taken to prevent exposure to the virus and to ensure it is not passed on to others – especially those who are most vulnerable.
8. If you suffer from swine flu yourself, please be sensible and follow medical advice. If you have flu like symptoms, then contact your GP by phone and follow the advice given. Look to help from colleagues while you take time off to recover. Please let your rural dean know so that they can monitor the situation locally.
9. Please also ask members of the congregation to be vigilant in watching out among friends and neighbours, especially those who are on their own or in any way vulnerable.
For further information please contact John Wraw, Archdeacon of Wilts via the Ramsbury Office – adwilts@salisbury.anglican.org 01380 729808
Prayers
Please do remember all who are ill at this time; but some may find the following prayer helpful for the current situation.
Sovereign God,
the defence of those who trust in you
and the strength of those who suffer:
look with mercy on us at this time:
bring healing to those infected with the virus,
give wisdom and insight to doctors, nurses and health professionals,
and bring calm and peace to all within our nation,
through our mighty Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Oldbury Benefice
- Our Origins
- After some help from the Diocese, I’ve discovered how the Oldbury Benefice came into being.
The benefice of Oldbury [parishes of Cherhill, Heddington, Calstone Wellington and Yatesbury] was formed as a Team Ministry by an Order in Council 13/11/1973 which came into effect 1/12/1973.
The Team Ministry was terminated by an Order in Council 21/12/1977 and the benefice of Compton Bassett was united with Oldbury to form the “new” benefice of Oldbury by Order in Council 18/5/1983 which came into effect 1/6/1983.
That means our Benefice’s Birthday is on 1st June - We are currently 26 years old!
Villages Magazine
- Thank you
- Just a brief word of thanks to the many unsung heroes who have kept the Villages Magazine going for such a long time. Particularly, to Margaret Humphries who has been “Head Production Manager and expert on all things Risographic”, the regular contributors, those who have collated and stapled for each Village, and those who have delivered door to door.
The new format will continue to depend on the good will of volunteers. Each parish still requires their own editor and copies will be distributed as before. Therefore, articles and notices will be submitted to individual parish editors, in the same way, by the 18th of the month. Margaret will put it all together and our Benefice Administrator, Tracy Purnell, has kindly agreed to complete the final draft that will then go to the Printers. In other words, it’s a team effort. The annual donation of £5 and any advertising contributions will ensure that the costs of the Magazine are covered.
To place an advertisement in the Villages, please give Tracy a ring on 01249 820062 (Monday to Wednesday) or e-mail oldburybenefice@gmail.com .
Every Blessing,
Rev Philip Bromiley.
We would also like to thank Alex Grenfell for the new cover design for the magazine which is a copyrighted illustration of The Oldbury Benefice, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s a fabulous design!
Church Weddings
- Qualifying Connection
- The Marriage Measure and Marriage Law Review (from C of E website)
The Church of England has been considering for some time possible alternatives to the calling of banns and widening the choice of places in which couples can marry. The Marriage Law working group was established by the Archbishops Council in October 2002 following the debate in the General Synod in July 2002 on The Challenge to Change. The details of the proposals and the means by which the Marriage Law working group envisaged that church legislation would give effect to them were inextricably bound up with Government proposals to reform the civil registration system. However, when the Government decided not to proceed with their reforms, the group embarked on a more limited programme of reform regarding the place of marriage and certain ecumenical issues relating in a new marriage measure.
In July 2007, the General Synod overwhelmingly passed the Church of England Marriage Measure and it received the Royal Assent on 22nd May. The Archbishops have now signed an instrument bringing all the provisions of the Measure into force from 1st October 2008.
The Measure seeks to respond to changing social conditions and in particular to the increasing mobility of our society today. It does not affect the existing right of parishioners. A couple continue to have the right to be married in the parish church of a parish where one or both of them are resident or entered on the electoral roll.
However some people would like to marry in a church because it has special significance for them, even though it is not where they live. This measure enables a church to offer the same welcome to a couple who wish to marry there and who can demonstrate a straightforward connection with the parish as it does to those who live in the parish itself, without the couple having to apply for a special licence.
The object of the Measure is to grant couples the same right to marry in the parish church of a parish with which one or both of them can demonstrate a "qualifying connection" of a kind specified in the new legislation as a person resident in the parish would have.
A person has a Qualifying Connection with a parish if that person:
• was baptised in the parish. (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation); or
• had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish; or
• has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
• has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or a Parent of that person has at any time during that person’s lifetime:
• had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
• habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.
In all these cases/In all cases involving church services - i.e. coming to/going to/attending normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage - this applies only to Church of England services.
The Marriage Measure will change the mission landscape with respect to church weddings. It offers the Church an opportunity to clarify, reissue and celebrate its wider welcome, so as to meet the needs of couples requesting church weddings better and to integrate more of them into the ongoing life of the local church.
Thank You from Tony & Mollie
- A message from Tony & Mollie
- It was such a beautiful service delivered by Philip on Sunday 7th June, Trinity Sunday, to commemorate Tony's farewell service. To see the Church so full of so many friends from all the Parishes was very much appreciated and heartwarming. The gifts of flowers and books were truly beautiful, many thanks for all your kind generosity.
Thank you Sally for the delicious cake so wonderfully and perfectly iced , and to all the ladies[and gents] who served the drinks and snacks. Now a personal not e from Tony: I would like to thank everyone who travelled this part of the journey with me. For your unfailing support, encouragement and kindness which has been a comfort and an inspiration. All the Parishes have been a unique congregation to worship and pray with. I'm not sure where the next part of our journey will take us but God will surely guide us. Now a note from Mollie also:
Mollie- I can only repeat my few words that came from my heart on Sunday. We came to Wiltshire in 1968, initially for 2 years! However, we fell in love with Wiltshire, the countryside and it's people. Since 1972 when Tony's ministry commenced we have shared the years with eleven Vicars. So. on a final note a big thank you goes out to Philip who presumably instigated our day out of the generosity of his spirit, and do you know what I think? We saved the best one until last!
With our love to you all, Tony and Mollie.
Easy Fundraising
- Fundraising the easy way!
- Easy Fundraising!
We now have several ways easy ways for you to help us raise funds for The Oldbury Benefice – either by simply searching or by shopping online!
You can now raise funds for us when you search the web!
Powered by Yahoo the world's 2nd largest search provider, easysearch works just like Google, giving you fast, accurate results every time you search the web. But unlike Google, easysearch gives us something back!
HOW IT WORKS
When you use easysearch to search the web you'll generate about a penny for every search that's made. It doesn't sound like much, but the pennies soon mount up and each searcher can raise £25 a year - or more - just by switching your normal searching to easysearch!
Our unique easysearch address is:
http://oldburybenefice.easysearch.org.uk/
Raise funds for us when you shop online!
easyfundraising is a shopping directory that features some of your favourite online stores, including Amazon, NEXT, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys’R’Us, HMV and over 500 others.
All you have to do is use the links on the easyfundraising site whenever you shop online and, at no extra cost to you, we'll receive a free donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make.
It really is that simple!
It’s completely FREE to register and use and you still shop with each retailer in exactly the same way. Many retailers even offer additional discounts and money saving e-Vouchers when you shop using easyfundraising.
If you shop online anyway then why not raise valuable extra funds for us by using this fantastic scheme. All you need to do is visit
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/oldburybenefice
and when you register, select Oldbury Benefice as the organisation you wish to support.
Fundraising the easy way!
Community Chest Update
- Oldbury Community Chest
- About a year ago, a discretionary fund was set up to help folk in need throughout our five parishes. They tend to be situations that the Vicar hears about on the grapevine. Some circumstances arise out of unforseen crises, others are less serious. People have recived a small gift or a bunch of flowers for the birth of a new baby or surgery, others have recieved oil to heat their house through the winter, others have had a contribution to memorial expenses after the death of a loved one.
At present, our main source of income is our Benefice Services, but the Trustees are aware of others who have donated to the fund and we wish to say a large ‘thank you’ to you all.
If any individuals would like to contribute to this fund, the trustees of the Oldbury Community Chest would be very grateful.
Donations can be given to our treasurer Mr David Hubbard 11 The Street Cherhill or to Philip at the Rectory.
Alpha Course 2010
- Alpha
- The Alpha Course is an opportunity to explore Christianity in an open, relaxed and non-judgemental way over ten weeks.
On Thursday 15th April there will be an Alpha Celebration Supper in the Town Hall, Calne to introduce people to the Alpha Course. There will be a guest speaker from Banbury called Duncan Banks for the evening. Please invite people who may be interested in asking the big questions in life to come along. The Alpha Course will begin on Wednesday the 28th April in Cherhill Village School and then continue on subsequent Wednesday evenings.
If you are interested in helping out in any way please have a word with Stephen Elliott on stephen_elliott@me.com or telephone 01249 818871
Alpha is open to anyone interested and is free of charge. Evenings begin with a supper, include a DVD presentation and finish with group discussion and reflection.
To find out more click below to visit our dedicated Oldbury Alpha Website.
http://www.oldburyalpha.co.uk/ - Come and discover the real meaning of Christianity
Is it true?
Come and discover the real meaning of Christianity through the Alpha Course.
Free of Charge, donations for food welcome.
More information: http://www.oldburyalpha.co.uk/
Ash Wednesday
- Service with Ashing
- Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, a period that commemorates the preparation Jesus made for his Passion by spending 40 days alone in the wilderness. It is the most solem period in the Church's year and time for reflection for all of us.
Even those who are not regular church goers take the opportunity afforded by Lent to make their "sacrifices". Probably more people attempt to give up smoking on Ash Wednesday than on any other day of the year. Weight watchers set their goals for Lent. It's the period that those who wish to acheive changes in their lives choose to make a start or turn over a new leaf.
The Church has adopted an ancient pracice to mark the start of this period. It's called Ashing and is a pre-Christian tradition to denote repentance. There are many references in the Old Testament to clothing sinners in "sack cloth and ashes".
Palm crosses from last years Palm Sunday service will be burned during the service to create the ash. This will be used to place a mark on the forehead of all those who wish to take part to indicate their acceptance that they repent of all former behaviour and intend to change.
For some it will have a deep religious significance, for others it might provide a bit of added determination to acheive their Lent goals.
Why not come along and find out more.
Confirmation
- Confirming the promises that were made at your baptism
- The Church of England invites people who have been baptised to think about something called Confirmation.
What is it?
Is it something I should consider?
First some background:
Where did it all start?
When people first believed in Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, they were baptised as a sign of their new faith. They believed:
• That Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah.
• That He died and was raised to life again to break the powers of darkness and death and rescue us from evil.
• That Jesus calls us to be his disciples, to follow him in this life and through death into eternal life.
When they were baptised, hands were laid on them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Before Jesus died he promised that the Spirit would come and live in the lives of his followers, to strengthen them and help them live the Christian life. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us that ensures that we belong to Christ and will enter eternal life when we die.
Over time Christian parents wanted their children to be part of the faith they belonged to and so they were baptised on the condition that their parents taught them and encouraged them in the faith so that when they were old enough they would take it on themselves.
The laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit eventually became delayed until the children were old enough to understand and decide for themselves whether they wanted to welcome Him into their lives and follow Christ. It was seen then as a gift of God to strengthen them in their discipleship.
Later it was the bishop as leader and the representative of the apostles who then 'confirmed' them in their desire to follow Christ after they made a public declaration of their faith in Christ remaking the promises that had been for them as children.
The youngest age our parish recommends for Confirmation is Year 6 (10-11)
Why be confirmed?
There are a number of different reasons for considering Confirmation: It may be that you were baptised/ christened as a baby but you never made a personal commitment to Jesus yourself. Or, perhaps you would like to become a member of the Anglican Church.
Either way, there is an expectation that you will investigate the claims of the Christian Faith prior to Confirmation. Once Confirmed you will be able to receive the bread and wine i.e. the body and blood of Jesus and remember with us his sacrifice for us.
Confirmation Service
This takes place after the Vicar has prepared you and the other candidates. It is an event shared by the Christian family that worships in the parish. Our Confirmations are usually shared with other parishes in the Deanery. All the candidates together make the promises for themselves that were made by the parents and the godparents at your baptism (unless you made them yourself when older). It is a time when you, fully understanding what is involved in being a Christian, can make a public declaration of personal rather than 'borrowed' faith. It is in the course of this service that each candidate is presented to the Bishop who then lays hands on you all individually praying that you be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Candidates may invite their families to witness and be part of this event.
Our next Deanery Confirmation is on Tuesday 3rd June, 2008. Philip is very happy to chat to anyone considering this step.
Lay Pastoral Assistants
- Training to be a Lay Pastoral Assistant
- Lay Pastoral Assistants are willing volunteers, licensed by the Bishop, who feel called to help in some of the Pastoral duties of the Rector. Typically, they might do a little visiting or take Holy Communion to those who are house bound.
LPA training classes are due to begin probably from the middle of January in Calne. If you are interested in becoming an LPA have a chat with Philip.